85. Epilogue

Anika’s PoV

It is my birthday tomorrow! I am waiting for my hubby to wish me happy birthday but it looks like all he is caring about now is to pack for our honeymoon tomorrow. I wonder whether he knows it is my birthday tomorrow or not. We are going to Coonoor tomorrow as I am in the first trimester of pregnancy and air travel is not advisable right now. Arjun talked to his relative Yadav Rishid who owns a resort in Coonoor for blocking a room for us. I remember Yadav Rishid and his wife Akshitha, they came to our home the next day of our wedding to congratulate us. He is now busy talking to his another relative Rishi to whom he has ordered a special outfit for me. He was the one that helped Arjun to choose all the clothes Arjun got for me.

“Arjun…” I called him sitting on the bed.

“Mmmm,” He turned to look at me.

“Um… shall we sleep? How long are you going to take to shut that bag?”

“Almost done. I just got a message from the hostel manager. I told them that we will vacate the room tomorrow. Do you want to go in person or shall I send someone to pack up your stuff?”

“I don't want to go. But make sure all my clay and jewelry come in one piece.” I told him and laid on the bed. I kinda feel tired and sleepy.

“Good night, Rose bud.” He said and continued whatever he was doing. Huh, wasteland.

I woke up tangled with my hot hubby. I detangled myself from him without waking him up and went on to do my morning routine. I heard him shuffle on the bed when I was doing my Yoga.

“Good morning, Beautiful!”

“Good morning.” I wished him back but I was super disappointed that he didn't remember my birthday.

“I have decided to take off from work today. Shall we go to the doctor for a check up and ask her some doubts before we go?”

“I don't have any doubts. She said PRegnancy is not a disease and asked me to continue what I am doing. I have my prenatal vitamins and iron. She said yoga is fine.”

“Not about yoga! About our honeymoon.” He walked towards me and hugged me from behind.

“God, shhh! You are so bad in the morning. I have asked about it also, she said we are ok.” I told him, trying to get free from him.

“We are ok to do what?” He asked me, flipping me to look at him. I looked up at him and felt my blood heat up with his intense look at me. I lowered my eyes down but he cupped my face and made me see him.

“Do what?” He asked me again.

“Do nothing. Now let me go, Arjun.” I said hiding my arousal and disappointment.

“Haha I love it when you turn pink on your cheeks. Relax, beautiful. I will be back within minutes.” He went into the restroom and locked the door behind him.

I went to the dressing room and started picking up a dress for me to wear for the day. Also I have not seen what he has packed for me. I opened up the bags and saw some of my clothes and undergarments in separate ziplock bags. He is for sure an organized man. I saw a brown paper bag and I pulled it out of the bag to see what was in it.

“Ah ha! Not now. That is something special for you to see on our honeymoon. Not now.” He grabbed it from me and packed it again. Though thrilled to know what it was, I was also getting angry at him for not knowing my birthday. I went into the restroom and loudly banged the door on his face.

We both went down after getting ready at 8.30AM. My phone was ringing non-stop from my mom and brother. But I refused to pick it up because I wanted my husband to wish me first on this birthday. My first birthday with him, after settling all the disputes, I decided to hint him first and if it doesn't work, then I am going to tell him that it is my birthday today.

“Arjun, this is a special day for me!” I told him while getting into the elevator.

“I know! It is a special day for me too. I am so thrilled for our honeymoon. I have so many plans for the whole week.”

“Oh, uh… Ok! But that is not what I mean!”

“I know, sweet heart. It is kinda overwhelming for me too. But You know, everything is in place now. Anand is accepted in his family. I thought they would accept him but I never thought they would go public about it. His dad took a great leap despite all the barriers this society threw his way. It is a happy start for Anand’s life. He and his dad going to their factory together is a perfect example for this lame society.”

“Very true. I am really happy for him. He deserves every happiness in this life just like we do.” I told him.

“Yeah, even Preethi is in good hands now. Though it is sad that Preethi committed murders and did awful things to us, she is giving her full cooperation for the treatment. She doesn’t want to see me, which really hurts me.”

“She doesn’t want to see you yet. I was very much shocked to know how spoiled she was on the inside. I want you to know that I was completely ok from the bottom of my heart to adopt Avni as our own when you proposed that idea, Arjun.” I told him.

When Sharanya came to our home to get back Avni, Avni refused to go and wanted to stay with us. She hung on Arjun’s neck and cried her eyes out which is when Arjun told Sharanya to leave Avni here until things get back to normal. Sharanya said that anyways Avni cannot live with her mom and now that her dad is in another relationship, her grandma and grandpa are responsible for her. Praveen was very worried about her mental health as she is a little kid and is enduring so much at this young age. That was when Arjun said that if everyone in their family is ok, we would adopt Avni as our daughter. Though shocked at first, I realized how this will help Arjun to break out of his guilty consciousness and I agreed. But Nilesh came and took Avni into his custody. He even filed a custodian case stating Preethi’s current state of mind. It is 100% sure that he will be getting the sole custody of Avni. When he came to our home to take Avni, she just jumped in joy and left with him.

“I know! I am sorry I popped that idea without discussing it with you. I know it involves you in a bigger ratio than me.” He apologized to me. Awe, I just wish to hug him all eternity.

“I am your better half, Arjun. I can understand you and I will support you! I love you, Arjun.”

We came to the dining hall and seated ourselves for breakfast. Uncle and aunty came one after the other and the breakfast went in silence. The heaviness of the things happening around us is affecting everyone. It is quite weird that Priya and Tarun are not on the table. I guess it will take time to get used to them not being here. Arjun was loading our bags in the car and ran to help him.

“Why are you loading it all now? We are starting only in the evening right?” I asked him.

“Nope, we are leaving now!” He said and I saw aunty and uncle hop in the car too! Are they tagging along for our honeymoon? Weird! I dared to say a word and kept quiet about it. We took a lunch break in a very fancy restaurant along the way and continued our journey. After lunch, uncle and aunty slept and Arjun held my hand in his and drove. It was kinda romantic and I loved it with every cell of my body.

“Are we going to my dad’s place?” I literally jumped in joy when I realized the route.

“Haha, yes!” Arjun kissed my forehead.

As we stepped in, it was already 6.30pm, everyone jumped in on me shouting a big ‘Surprise’. I was taken aback looking at everyone there. I saw Tarun running to me, I crouched down and picked him up. Priya and Rajesh were there, my mom, dad, Advay, Nithu, her husband, Anand, Sivaprakasam Perippa and Dhanam Perima, Yadav Rishid, his wife Akshitha, their kids Aadvik and Aadya, Rishi, his wife Danya, their kids Riya and Ridan everyone was there.

“Here, go refresh and change and come in a jiffy!” Arjun gave me that brown bag as soon as I realized what is going on now. I went to the room and changed to the gorgeous onion pink lehenga designed with pearls all over it. I made myself look presentable and went out.

‘Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear Anika, Happy birthday to you!” Everyone sang as soon as I stepped out. They were all waiting for me with a huge cake. I saw Arjun standing tall in the middle of everyone. I just walked straight up to him and linked my hand in his.

“Happy Birthday, Rose bud! You look absolutely gorgeous, I just wish to eat you whole.” He whispered in my ears, bending down to reach. His hot breath tickled my ears and I scrunched as my stomach made a flip at his words.

“Ahem, we are all here!” Nithu shouted and the crowd laughed, embarrassing us. I hid behind Arjun and the laughter took a while before died. A delicious dinner was served and we had a loud chit chat with Arjun’s relatives and friends Rishi’s and Yadav’s family. The ladies were so good to me. Danya and Akshitha became very close to me in a matter of minutes. Nithu gelled in well too! The ladies were fighting with Rishi and Yadav about taking them to a second honeymoon just like Arjun! It was a complete fun evening. A memorable one too.

“All right everyone, it’s already ;ate, we have to leave now.” Arjun said looking at his watch.

“Have a fun and safe trip! Take care.” Everyone bid bye to us and we drove off to Coonoor for our second honeymoon as they all thought.

“Just don’t stop, Arjun! I wish this journey of ours never ends! I love you, Arjun!” I said to him.

“I love you too, Rose Bud!” He kissed my head as I leaned on his shoulder envisioning our love binding future! I reckon how he came into my life like a breeze and turned into a storm and again turned into a breeze with drizzle! I love him no matter if he is a breeze or storm!